On July 24, 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron declared that France will officially recognize the State of Palestine at the UN General Assembly in September 2025. He stated:
“True to its historic commitment … I have decided that France will recognise the State of Palestine … I will solemnly announce this … at the United Nations General Assembly next September.” euronews+15Al Jazeera+15Cadena SER+15
This would make France the first G7 country to formalize recognition. euronews+2VG+2SvD.se+2
France’s previous position
- Prior to this announcement, France supported Palestinian statehood in principle and endorsed a two‑state solution, but had not issued formal recognition. Al Jazeera
- In May 2024, France’s Foreign Minister stated that conditions were not yet met for recognition to have practical diplomatic effect. Al Jazeera+9Reddit+9Anadolu Ajansı+9
- Macron himself said in early 2025 that recognition was “not a taboo”, and that if done, it should occur at a “useful moment”. Anadolu Ajansı+2rfi.fr+2Le Monde.fr+2
So, until the latest announcement, France had not formally recognized Palestine yet.
Reconciliation of Macron’s statements
- When Macron previously said France might recognize Palestine in June 2025 during a conference, that was a future plan, not yet executed. The Irish Times+2Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2Al Jazeera+4Anadolu Ajansı+4euronews+4
- On July 24, 2025, he confirmed that formal recognition would take place in September 2025 at the UN. That is why your statement that “France recognizes Palestine” reflects this incoming recognition, rather than something already in place. Wikipedia
Responses and Reactions
- Israel and the U.S. have strongly condemned the announcement. Israeli PM Netanyahu called it a “reward for terrorism,” and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio termed it “reckless.” Wikipedia+5Reddit+5Anadolu Ajansı+5El País+2Al Jazeera+2India Today+2Al Jazeera+5www.ndtv.com+5theguardian.com+5
- Palestinian authorities including President Abbas and Hamas welcomed the move as a positive step toward self-determination. www.ndtv.com+1Al Jazeera+1
- European allies such as Spain, Ireland and Slovenia praised France’s commitment and urged others to follow suit. Spain’s PM described it as necessary to defend the two-state solution. www.ndtv.com
About the Author
